International Restaurants in Sao Paulo, Brazil

Sao Paulo is the largest city in the Southern Hemisphere, with a population of over 20 million, and all those Sao Paulinos have a reputation for loving a good meal. Brazilian cuisine is usually heavy on the beef and pork, but Sao Paulo is one of Brazil's most cosmopolitan cities, so finding an international restaurant that serves something more suitable to lighter tastes or just for the sake of variety is relatively simple.

Culture and Considerations
Sao Paulo has a serious restaurant culture, more so than anywhere else in Brazil, and the city's social environment revolves around eating out. The status that eating out enjoys among Sao Paulinos means a visitor should keep some pointers in minds. The dining culture is somewhat formal, so do not appear at any but the most casual of Sao Paulo eateries wearing shorts and a t-shirt. The locals consider 9 o'clock on the early side for eating dinner, so do not expect a restaurant to open before 8 pm. Finally, despite the crowds, few restaurants accept reservations, so either show up shortly after the restaurant opens or be prepared to wait at the bar for a while.

Jun Sakamoto
Located in Pinheiros ("Pines") district, Jun Sakamoto is a stand-out among Sao Paulo's deep selection of Japanese restaurants. The dining room sports a neutral decor based on concrete and wood, and offers a dining environment that Conde Nast described as small, discreet and classy." The restaurant serves some of the best sushi in Sao Paulo, and is named for the resident sushi master. Fans of sushi should angle for a seat at the sushi bar, so they can watch Sakamoto work his magic.

La Tartine
Visitors to Sao Paulo looking for a cozy French bistro can head to Consolacao Metro Station and La Tartine. Somehow the eclectic collection of kitschy furniture and knick-knacks used to decorate the restaurant come off as stylish rather than as the stuff from a pack rat's attic, and the upstairs bar is a comfortable place to wait for a table. The latter point is important, since the restaurant is a trendy, popular spot. The wine list is excellent, and the menu made up of classic bistro fare. La Tartine is closed on Sundays and Mondays.

Piola
Piola is an outpost of an Italian pizza chain, but don't let the chain aspect throw you. This restaurant was Frommer's pick for a pizzeria in Sao Paulo, and the pizzas come weighted down with toppings ranging from the classic (mushrooms) to the unusual (smoked salmon). The menu also includes gourmet pasta dishes. The decor blends Euromodern style with industrial design, and between that and the pizza, Sao Paulo's Piola draws in a young, happening crowd.